Saturday, September 08, 2007

A "BROWNING DAY"

I know I'm forever quoting Browning and I am about to do so again: Today the weather has been perfect - sunny but not stiflingly hot, with pure air and a light breeze now and then - one of those days, in short, when I am so grateful to be alive and in Italy, a country I have loved all my adult life; and a day when I find myself repeating Browning's wonderful lines:

"Open my heart and you will seeGraved inside of it, "Italy."

Such lovers old are I and she;

So it always was and shall ever be!"

So what better day for a walk around Modica Bassa? I took some photos for you:

1. Looking up towards the Norman castle. But take a close look at the centre of the picture. Can you see what look like caves? That's exactly what they are and people made their homes in them within living memory. I have a friend who remembers hiding from the Germans in them in WW2.

Ellee, jmb, you would love it if you saw it for real! Hi, TF. Glad you like them too. Alta = high; bassa = low. Many Italian cities have a "High part" and a "low part". Hi, Lee. Yes, I think that's part of the attraction for me. Thanks, Anne. You, too, will have to come and see this part of Sicily. Thanks, Lady M. I think that's my favourite, too. Yes, with regard to Italy, I think Browning has it! Thanks, pink! Not so long now!

Welshcakes; have you read The Ladies Maid by Magaret Forster ? This is about the "Brownings" in Italy, as depicted by Elizabeth Barrett Browning`s Maid. Compelling stuff ! It`s some time since I first read it, I think it was first published in 1997.